A Brooklyn teenager has been arrested in connection with false threats to schools in Texas and Florida—including messages tied to the family of a Uvalde shooting victim.
At a Glance
- 16-year-old arrested in Brooklyn for multi-state swatting spree
- Targets included schools in Uvalde, San Antonio, Parkland, and Coral Springs
- Threats linked to social media accounts tied to a Uvalde victim’s family
- “Operation Long Arm of Justice” led to the teen’s identification and arrest
- Teen faces felony terroristic threat and misdemeanor false reporting charges
Brooklyn Teen Behind Swatting Campaign
A 16-year-old boy from Brooklyn has been arrested for orchestrating a string of swatting calls and threats against schools in Texas and Florida, including targeting individuals connected to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. The teen, whose name is withheld due to his age, allegedly used TikTok and Instagram to threaten schools in Uvalde, San Antonio, Coral Springs, and Parkland.
According to NBC Miami, the teenager’s arrest followed a coordinated, three-month investigation known as “Operation Long Arm of Justice,” involving law enforcement agencies from New York, Texas, and Florida.
Watch NBC’s full video report on the arrest for more details on the multi-state operation.
Links to Uvalde Victim’s Family
Investigators say the teen targeted people linked to the family of a child killed in the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. The New York Post reports that the boy had researched active shooter incidents and monitored the social media accounts of Uvalde victims and local law enforcement.
Although no weapons were found during the search of his home, authorities said the threats caused “mass disruption” and fear across affected communities. Police confirmed the teen admitted to making several fake 911 calls.
Law Enforcement Response
The case will proceed in Texas, with support from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. In a statement to KSAT News, Uvalde Police Chief Homer E. Delgado said, “We will not allow distance or digital anonymity to shield those who try to cause fear or disrupt the safety of our schools and neighborhoods.”
The teen now faces a felony count of making a terroristic threat, along with multiple misdemeanor counts of false reporting. Law enforcement officials emphasized the seriousness of digital threats and urged parents to monitor their c
